Lennon revels in Bhoys progress

Neil Lennon thinks he got the last laugh on his doubters after the 2-1 win over Spartak Moscow secured a place in the Champions League last 16.

Striker Gary Hooper opened the scoring for the home side, who had to better Benfica's result in Barcelona, in the 21st minute but that was cancelled out by Ari before the break.

However, the Scottish champions were not to be denied and after defender Marek Suchy conceded a penalty kick in the 80th minute for a barge on Georgios Samaras, up stepped Kris Commons to slam the ball in off the bar.

Two minutes from time Spartak midfielder Kim Kallstrom picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Commons who was taken off on a stretcher, the only sour note in a momentous night for Lennon's side who, following tonight's goalless draw in the Nou Camp, finished second in Group G behind Barcelona with 10 points and who are in the knockout stages for the first time since season 2007/08.

The Parkhead men had to fight their way through two qualifying rounds and were then unfancied when drawn alongside the Russian club, Benfica and Barcelona and the Celtic manager was referring to that scepticism when he said: "It means the world to me as a young manager in my first year in the Champions League to qualify with 10 points, I am very proud of the players, they have performed a miracle.

"People laughed at me when I said at the start that my target was to qualify.

"No one gave us a prayer going into this group but we have qualified and deservedly so. I think you could see the players progressing last year.

"We have some really talented players who I felt could play at European level.

"I didn't want them just to be remembered for beating Barcelona but we have beaten Barcelona and qualified for the last-16 and that is a fantastic feather to have in your cap."